Marines from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, helped Feeding America San Diego open its new warehouse March 25.
Thirty Marines from MALS 16 assisted with the grand opening of the new building by cleaning and organizing the new warehouse and the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron color guard performed during the ceremonies.
The Marine volunteers came to the warehouse a week before its grand opening to help clean, organize and prepare it for the celebration, explained Cpl. Mason Turner, an aviation ordnance systems technician with MALS 16.
“If we get one or two Marines here, they’ll do the work of 20 volunteers,” said Tim Ney, the chief operations officer at Feeding America San Diego.
Turner explained that Marines bring military discipline and efficiency whenever they volunteer in community service.
“We have individuals who are outgoing, they know what needs to be done and they’re good with timelines,” said Turner. “We get tasks from [Feeding America] employees and we get it done. This place looked pretty hectic last weekend,” said Turner.
While Marine volunteers support Feeding America, the organization also supports local military families struggling to put food on the table, explained Ney.
“As much as the military contributes to our organization, we love to give back,” said Ney, a former Marine. “I was in the fight. I understand the sacrifices.”
Feeding America San Diego distributes food to more than 175 charitable organizations and feeds 73,000 children, families and seniors each week, which includes military families.
The new warehouse can move 16 million pounds of food each year, but this feat cannot be accomplished without efficient and well-organized help.
Turner explained that he believes most service members enlisted to help their communities, and Feeding America is a great local opportunity to support.
For more information about Feeding America San Diego, visit www.feedingamericasd.org.